THE SWINGING SKEPTIC ON THE SCIENCE OF LUBE!

BY PLE

Jeff Foxworthy joked about Astroglide, “apparently you can put it on a Cadillac and get it in a doghouse ” The joke has a great hyperbolic line but most of us have used a lubricant of some sort at one point or another during our sexual journeys If you’ve ever wondered why the stuff works the way it does, The Swinging Skeptic is here to nerd out with you and get answers. This article talks about the basics of lubrication (for bodies, not machinery), discusses health concerns related to lubrication, and offers some tips on how to buy the right lube for the job.

Let’s first talk about some basics The penis and vagina each produce lubricant

The evolutionary reproductive value is that lubrication makes intercourse both easier to achieve and more pleasurable, leading to an increased likelihood of fertilization. Male lubrication (pre-ejaculate, often called “ precum”) is an excretion containing both chemicals that neutralize pH balances in the penis and vagina (helping sperm survive) and provide a clear, mucus-like lubricant.

The vagina produces some of its own lubrication through two “Bartholin Glands” at the entrance of the vagina, but most lubricating fluids come from vaginal tissue "sweating " This happens during arousal and often during intercourse or continued sexual activity (note: we are not talking about female ejaculation or squirting here, those are separate processes and fluids)

There are various reasons a person or couple may seek to “help” their natural lubricants Occasional vaginal dryness is common in most women, including healthy women Women going through menopause often experience increased dryness As vaginal tissues thin with age, the body produces fewer lubricating excretions in the vagina. Lube is also useful for sexual activity where very little lubrication is naturally available. A handjob can be greatly enhanced with the application of a lubricating substance. It must be noted that no part of the anus, colon, rectum, butt, ass, rear, etc. produces lubrication. There are no magical butt-sex lube glands! Safe anal play absolutely requires artificial lubrication!

The health benefits of proper lubrication are real. There is excellent scientific evidence that shows increased pleasure and frequency of sex and less frequent pain, dryness, and irritation when lubrication is used*. There are three basic types of lubricants, categorized by their base substance.

The health benefits of proper lubrication are real There is excellent scientific evidence that shows increased pleasure and frequency of sex and less frequent pain, dryness, and irritation when lubrication is used There are three basic types of lubricants, categorized by their base substance

Silicone-based lubricants are strong choices for people with chronic or severe vaginal dryness as they are generally long-lasting. However, silicone lubes can be sticky, messy, and greasy. These are NOT to be used with silicone toys.

Oil-based lubes are a third option and are most easily thought of as products like oils from the kitchen. These are usually edible, which can be fun, but they are also usually messy. Synthetic oil-based lubricants (like petroleum jelly – Vaseline) can irritate the vulva. These are NOT to be used with latex condoms**.

You should always treat lubricant as a medication or a new skin product

Allow for a small use at first to ensure that your bod(ies) tolerate the substance well Make sure that you are not allergic to the substances in the lube. Once you feel reasonably safe, feel free to apply and reapply as needed

When you are thinking about purchasing or using a new lubricant, consider the advice given above There are a few additional concerns that you should watch out for Note that edible lubricants often have substances that are friendly to the taste buds and the digestive system, but not as friendly to vaginal tissues Understand that lubes only work until the body absorbs the substances or until they are washed away. Lube will not solve chronic issues but can help make sex more pleasurable when used properly and frequently

There are a bevy of brands available to the consumer Standing in the “ sex ” part of the store can feel awkward You are encouraged to do research at home and consider several sources. If you feel adventurous, feel free to purchase multiple styles in various brands and give them a try until you and your partner(s) have found ones that work best for you!

For now, I want to point you to the chart in the following link This study of a huge variety of lubrications gives two important pieces of information: pH factor and osmolality Osmolality basically measures how much moisture the substance pulls *out* of your tissues This is bad, as you generally want tissues to be wellhydrated rather than dry or shriveled https://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/handle/10665/765 80/WHO RHR 12 33 eng pdf

The WHO recommends using a lubricant with a pH of 4 5 and an osmolality below 1200 mOsm/kg.

I WISH I WISH I WISH EVERYONE EVERYONE EVERYONE THE BEST IN THE BEST IN THE BEST IN YOUR SLIP YOUR SLIP YOUR SLIP ‘N’ SLIDE ‘N’ SLIDE ‘N’ SLIDE ADVENTURES! ADVENTURES! ADVENTURES!

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